Prime minister’s unit studies poverty gap

Child poverty is leading to glaring social inequality, according to
a discussion document from the prime minister’s strategy
unit.

The document, which analyses long-running trends and considers
future government priorities, concludes that “performance closely
correlates with class” in educational achievement. Less able richer
children overtake more able poorer children by the age of five.

At the age of seven, just 2 per cent of the pupils at schools with
an affluent intake failed to reach the required maths standard,
compared with 20 per cent of children in schools with a deprived
intake. This gap widens at age 14, with 17 and 86 per cent
respectively failing to reach the required standard.

The document states that the UK could consider building on the Sure
Start strategy, substantially reducing reception class sizes in
primary schools in deprived areas, and renewing efforts to
encourage social mixing to raise aspirations.

– Strategic Audit: Discussion Document from www.strategy.gov.uk/files/pdf/strategic_audit.pdf